The Japan national football team, also known by the nickname Samurai Blue, ...
The Japan national football team, also known by the nickname Samurai Blue, represents Japan in men's international football. It is controlled by the J...
The Japan national football team, also known by the nickname Samurai Blue, represents Japan in men's international football. It is controlled by the Japan Football Association, the governing body for football in Japan.
Prior to the late 1980s, Japan's national football team was largely amateur, with the sport less popular domestically than baseball or sumo. Since the early 1990s, following the full professionalization of the sport, Japan has emerged as one of Asia's leading teams. The national team has qualified for every FIFA World Cup since 1998, advancing to the knockout stage in 2002, 2010, 2018, and 2022. Japan has also won a record four Asian Cup titles, in 1992, 2000, 2004, and 2011. In addition, the team finished as runners-up in both the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2019 Asian Cup. Japan is one of only three teams from the Asian Football Confederation to have reached the final of a senior FIFA men's competition, alongside Australia and Saudi Arabia.
Japan's progression in a short period has served as an inspiration and example of how to develop football.
Available in the U.S. nationwide. This lineup offers a sample of channels we offer. Please enter your home ZIP code below to see your area's lineup. Subject to availability.
